If you want to start a painting business in Oregon, you’ll need to get licensed by the state. Oregon requires all contractors who do construction work that improves real property, including painters, to hold a valid license issued by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB).

Getting licensed demonstrates to potential clients that you have met the state’s minimum competency and insurance requirements. It also allows you to legally bid on public works projects.

This guide covers everything you need to know about getting your painter’s license in Oregon, including:

  • Eligibility requirements
  • Steps to get a new license
  • License renewal
  • Surety bond requirements
  • Insurance requirements

Stay ahead of Pacific Northwest challenges with specialized Oregon painting business insurance coverage.

Eligibility Requirements for an Oregon Painting Contractor License

To be eligible for a painting contractor license in Oregon, you must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Complete 16 hours of approved pre-license training
  • Pass the Oregon Construction Contractors exam
  • File as a business entity with the Oregon Secretary of State
  • Obtain a surety bond
  • Carry general liability insurance

The person who completes the training and exam will serve as the Responsible Managing Individual (RMI) on the license. The RMI must be an owner or employee of the business and will be responsible for managing its construction activities.

Steps to Get a New Oregon Painting Contractor License

Follow these steps to get your new painting contractor license from the CCB:

1. Complete Pre-License Training

You’ll need to complete a 16-hour pre-license training course from a CCB-approved provider. Many providers offer in-person classes or online courses.

Once you finish, the provider will direct you to schedule your licensing exam through PSI Exams. Some providers include the cost of the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management study guide material in their course fees.

2. Pass the Oregon Construction Contractors Exam

After your course, you’ll need to pass the Oregon Construction Contractors exam. This is an open book exam based on the Oregon edition of the NASCLA study guide.

The exam has 80 multiple choice questions and you must score at least 70% to pass. You can take the paper and pencil or computer-based exam at one of PSI’s testing centers. The $60 exam fee is paid directly to PSI.

If you’ve already passed the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors, you can have your score transcript sent to the CCB to waive the Oregon exam.

3. File as a Business Entity

Decide what type of business entity you will operate as and file with the Oregon Secretary of State’s office. Common choices for contractors are sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC or corporation.

4. Obtain a Surety Bond

Get a surety bond from an authorized surety company for the required amount based on your license classification. For a painting contractor, you’ll need a $15,000 bond.

5. Get General Liability Insurance

Obtain a general liability insurance policy for at least $500,000. Have your insurance company send a Certificate of Insurance to the CCB listing them as a certificate holder.

6. Apply for Your License

Complete the CCB’s paper license application or submit it electronically through their online portal. Pay the $325 license fee.

Include your original surety bond, certificate of insurance, and exam results with your application.

It can take up to 8 weeks to get your license during peak seasons. You can start work once the CCB approves your application.

Renewing an Oregon Painting Contractor License

Oregon painting contractor licenses expire after two years. To renew, you must:

  • Complete 8 hours of continuing education. Courses must be from CCB-approved providers.
  • Pay a $325 renewal fee
  • Provide an updated surety bond
  • Submit a current certificate of liability insurance

You can submit the renewal application and payment through the CCB’s online portal up to 90 days before expiration. Renewals submitted within 30 days of expiration incur a late fee.

If your license lapses for more than 24 months, you’ll have to retake pre-license training and the exam.

Surety Bond Requirements

Licensed painting contractors in Oregon must carry a $15,000 surety bond. The surety bond must be:

  • Issued by a company authorized to do business in Oregon
  • Valid for at least 364 days
  • Made payable to the Construction Contractors Board

You’ll need to maintain a valid bond to renew your painting contractor license. The CCB requires you submit an original bond certificate with your application.

Insurance Requirements

At minimum, Oregon requires licensed painting contractors to carry:

General liability insurance – You must have at least $500,000 in general liability coverage. The CCB must be listed as a certificate holder.

Workers’ compensation – If you have employees, you’ll need a workers’ comp policy. The only exemption is for sole proprietors without employees.

You must submit a Certificate of Insurance from your insurance company as proof of coverage when you apply for or renew your painting contractor license.

Conclusion

Getting licensed as a painting contractor requires some upfront effort, but offers long-term benefits. Oregon’s license gives your business credibility and helps you compete for more painting jobs.

Be sure to factor the costs for pre-license training, exams, fees, bonds and insurance into your business planning. Renewing on time before your current license expires will allow you to keep operating without any gaps in coverage.

Licensing and Insurance Requirements for Painters and Painting Contractors in Oregon

If you want to start a painting business in Oregon, you’ll need to get licensed by the state. Oregon requires all contractors who do construction work that improves real property, including painters, to hold a valid license issued by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB).

Getting licensed demonstrates to potential clients that you have met the state’s minimum competency and insurance requirements. It also allows you to legally bid on public works projects.

This guide covers everything you need to know about getting your painter’s license in Oregon, including:

  • Eligibility requirements
  • Steps to get a new license
  • License renewal
  • Reciprocity
  • Surety bond requirements
  • Insurance requirements

Eligibility Requirements for an Oregon Painting Contractor License

To be eligible for a painting contractor license in Oregon, you must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Complete 16 hours of approved pre-license training
  • Pass the Oregon Construction Contractors exam
  • File as a business entity with the Oregon Secretary of State
  • Obtain a surety bond
  • Carry general liability insurance

The person who completes the training and exam will serve as the Responsible Managing Individual (RMI) on the license. The RMI must be an owner or employee of the business and will be responsible for managing its construction activities.

Steps to Get a New Oregon Painting Contractor License

Follow these steps to get your new painting contractor license from the CCB:

1. Complete Pre-License Training

You’ll need to complete a 16-hour pre-license training course from a CCB-approved provider. Many providers offer in-person classes or online courses.

Once you finish, the provider will direct you to schedule your licensing exam through PSI Exams. Some providers include the cost of the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management study guide material in their course fees.

2. Pass the Oregon Construction Contractors Exam

After your course, you’ll need to pass the Oregon Construction Contractors exam. This is an open book exam based on the Oregon edition of the NASCLA study guide.

The exam has 80 multiple choice questions and you must score at least 70% to pass. You can take the paper and pencil or computer-based exam at one of PSI’s testing centers. The $60 exam fee is paid directly to PSI.

If you’ve already passed the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors, you can have your score transcript sent to the CCB to waive the Oregon exam.

3. File as a Business Entity

Decide what type of business entity you will operate as and file with the Oregon Secretary of State’s office. Common choices for contractors are sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC or corporation.

4. Obtain a Surety Bond

Get a surety bond from an authorized surety company for the required amount based on your license classification. For a painting contractor, you’ll need a $15,000 bond.

5. Get General Liability Insurance

Obtain a general liability insurance policy for at least $500,000. Have your insurance company send a Certificate of Insurance to the CCB listing them as a certificate holder.

6. Apply for Your License

Complete the CCB’s paper license application or submit it electronically through their online portal. Pay the $325 license fee.

Include your original surety bond, certificate of insurance, and exam results with your application.

It can take up to 8 weeks to get your license during peak seasons. You can start work once the CCB approves your application.

Renewing an Oregon Painting Contractor License

Oregon painting contractor licenses expire after two years. To renew, you must:

  • Complete 8 hours of continuing education. Courses must be from CCB-approved providers.
  • Pay a $325 renewal fee
  • Provide an updated surety bond
  • Submit a current certificate of liability insurance

You can submit the renewal application and payment through the CCB’s online portal up to 90 days before expiration. Renewals submitted within 30 days of expiration incur a late fee.

If your license lapses for more than 24 months, you’ll have to retake pre-license training and the exam.

Reciprocity for Out-of-State Painting Contractors

Oregon has license reciprocity agreements with several states. This allows painting contractors holding equivalent active licenses in those states to obtain an Oregon license without having to take Oregon’s exams.

The CCB has reciprocity agreements for painting contractors with these states:

  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming

To get a license via reciprocity, you’ll need to:

  • Hold an active license from a reciprocity state
  • Submit verification from the state licensing board
  • Apply for the equivalent Oregon license classification
  • Pay required Oregon licensing fees
  • Meet Oregon’s insurance and bonding requirements

Surety Bond Requirements

Licensed painting contractors in Oregon must carry a $15,000 surety bond. The surety bond must be:

  • Issued by a company authorized to do business in Oregon
  • Valid for at least 364 days
  • Made payable to the Construction Contractors Board

You’ll need to maintain a valid bond to renew your painting contractor license. The CCB requires you submit an original bond certificate with your application.

Insurance Requirements

At minimum, Oregon requires licensed painting contractors to carry:

General liability insurance – You must have at least $500,000 in general liability coverage. The CCB must be listed as a certificate holder.

Workers’ compensation – If you have employees, you’ll need a workers’ comp policy. The only exemption is for sole proprietors without employees.

You must submit a Certificate of Insurance from your insurance company as proof of coverage when you apply for or renew your painting contractor license.

Conclusion

Getting licensed as a painting contractor requires some upfront effort, but offers long-term benefits. Oregon’s license gives your business credibility and helps you compete for more painting jobs.

Be sure to factor the costs for pre-license training, exams, fees, bonds and insurance into your business planning. Renewing on time before your current license expires will allow you to keep operating without any gaps in coverage.